Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The 4th Of July In The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

The 4th of July is in 5 days. In the picture you are looking at a Fort Worth Fireworks explosion from a past 4th of July. You can tell it is Fort Worth by the cowboy on a horse and the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth in the distance.

When the case was being made, to me, of all that I would find wonderful about moving from Washington to the hamlet of Haslet on the northern border of Fort Worth, the chief propagandist included, among the many attributes, the fact that, supposedly, one could see 8 or 9 different fireworks displays whilst sitting outside at the location she'd found in Haslet.

The propagandist failed to mention the main reason one could see so many different fireworks shows, at once, was that the topography was nearly flat, allowing one to see, I don't know for sure, maybe 20 miles in the distance.

Regardless, not being a huge fan of fireworks, the possibility of seeing multiple fireworks shows, at once, really was not a huge selling point for me.

But, when my first 4th of July in Texas came to be, I eagerly sat outside awaiting all the fireworks.

I expected a lot of booming to being going on, all over the place, with the official fireworks just being part of the mayhem. I was used to my neighborhood of Mount Vernon being a virtual war zone on the 4th of July, with the arms supplied by the area Indian Reservations.

There are no area Indian Reservations in my zone of Texas. Or, pretty much any zone of Texas.

4th of July being hugely more sedate in Texas than it was where I lived in Washington was one of my Texas surprises, what with this being where the west began, I expected a lot of wild west 4th of July spirit of the individuals setting off rockets and firecrackers sort.

But, with no Indian suppliers it must be difficult to come into possession of explosive holiday toys in Texas.

Ironically, the best fireworks display I've seen in Texas did not take place on the 4th of July. It took place at the turn of the century, millennium celebration in downtown Fort Worth. That was one amazing show.

Unlike when I lived in Haslet, at my current location I do not have a view of the horizon and fireworks shows in the distance. Unless I go over to Miss Puerto Rico's and watch from her panoramic view.

Or I could drive to one of the D/FW Metroplex 4th of July events listed below, some of which have fireworks shows, which I could have watched from Haslet. Way in the distance.....

Fort Worth’s Fourth
When: July 4 at 4:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity River behind LaGrave Field in Fort Worth
What: Free live music and family fun including pony rides, a cardboard slide derby, and water wars. Food will be available for purchase.

Denton Kiwanis Club Fireworks Show
When: July 4 at 5:30 p.m. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Where: UNT Fouts Field
What: The Denton Kiwani’s Club hosts a night of live music by City Folk followed by an array of fireworks. The event is free but donations will be accepted before, during, and after the show.

Fair Park Fourth
When: July 4 at 4:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Fair Park
What: This event, presented by Friends of Fair Park, is the city of Dallas’ official Independence Day celebration. The evening will include free and reduced admission to Fair Park’s eight museums, Bellagio-style Esplanade Fountain shows, and live performances. Food will be available for purchase.

Addison Kaboom Town
When: July 3 at 5 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:35 p.m.
Where: Addison Circle Park
What: Rated as one of the top places to watch fireworks in the country by USA Today, Kaboom Town is a 30-minute fireworks show in the metroplex like no other. Live entertainment and an air show will precede the fireworks.

Electric Theater
When: July 2-4 at 1 p.m.
Where: Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas
What: Want to beat the heat this July 4th weekend? The Museum of Nature & Science has indoor fireworks. The Electric Theater is an interactive lesson on electro-magnetism that concludes with a light show. The Independence Day presentations are free to members and general admission for non-members.

Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks
When: July 3 and 4 following the last races which begin at 5 p.m.
Where: Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie
What: Two-days of thoroughbred racing and family fun such as a petting zoo, pony rides and bounce houses. Following the races, there will be a 20-minute fireworks display and live entertainment.

BigTop 4thFest
When: July 4 at 12 p.m.
Where: Bedford Boys Ranch Park
What: BigTop Celebration is an old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration with a circus themed twist. 4thFest includes a free concert, bounce houses, a variety of free family activates, festival-style food and, of course, a fireworks extravaganza when the sun goes down. 4thFest visitors can also take a dip in Bedford’s Splash Aquatic Center for an additional fee.

Frisco Freedom Fest
When: July 2 at 4 p.m.
Where: Pizza Hut Park and Simpson Plaza, located in front of Frisco City Hall
What: Frisco Freedom Fest is a party in the heart of Frisco. The Taste of Frisco also returns this weekend with Frisco restaurants serving some of their most popular menu items. Freedom Fest will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks spectacle.

Fireworks over Lake Grapevine
When: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Grapevine and surrounding parks
What: The City of Grapevine will be shutting down Fairway Drive for their annual fireworks extravaganza. Admission is free at most viewing locations, although some parks along Lake Grapevine may charge a minimal admission fee.

Willie Nelson's Annual Picnic & Throwdown
When: July 4 at 11:30 a.m., first artist take the stage at 12 p.m.
Where: Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth
What: Willie Nelson's picnic is a Texas tradition that features a day full of country music performances. The picnic was recently revealed as a top destination for the 4th by Yahoo Travel. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the gate, and are available through Ticketmaster or Billy Bob's box office.

Cowboys Stadium 4th of July Rally
When: July 4 at 12 p.m.
Where: Cowboys Stadium
What: Never been to the Cowboys Stadium? This year's 4th would be a perfect time to go. Cowboys Stadium is hosting a Texas-sized Fourth of July Rally for the whole family. The event will include alumni player autograph signing, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders appearances and photo opportunities. Everyone wearing patriotic clothing will receive $5 off the price of a stadium tour. Parking will be free with the purchase of a tour ticket.

Picnic in the Park
When: July 2 at 12 p.m.
Where: Firewheel Town Center in Garland
What: Shopping more your style than fireworks? Firewheel Town Center will be hosting a picnic offering area families an opportunity to play as well as enjoy live music , all located near the open-air regional shopping mall.

Commemorative Air Force Squadron
When: July 2, 3, and 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Meacham Field in Fort Worth
What: The Commemorative Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron will be conducting flight experiences for $595 to $1495, depending on seat location. For those not interested in flight experiecne, warbirds and vintage aircraft will be on display. There will be a $5 fee to enter the display area.

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

There I was...

The late evening of July 4, 1976 I was riding in a small aircraft from SeaTac to Bremerton with the pilot & co-pilot. It was a very small commuter aircraft and airline. One of the crew asked me if I needed to get back to my ship or if I had time to go watch some fireworks around Seattle. I was in no hurry and enjoyed it as far as I can remember.

The morning before I was in downtown Fort Worth and it was a ghost town.

A popular place to watch the downtown fireworks is the slope of Mt Tandy, near the lower traffic barrier. I wonder if Dawson will clean up their trash this week If not, will it be trampled by the crowds, or trip them up in the dark.Or maybe someone will steal the cables and equipment, just like the person last year in need of golf balls.